For over 40 years the SF Match has provided residency and fellowship matching services to specialties and subspecialties across the spectrum of medicine.
Our easy to use applicant review and ranking process has a proven record of success and our Centralized Application Service makes the processing, distribution and review of applications as easy as clicking your mouse.

The key to understanding the matching process is the concept of 'tentative acceptance'.
The process is an 'applicant-proposing' one; this means that it is driven by the
applicants' requests for placement. At first, all acceptances are tentative. As
programs receive more requests, they will retain only those applicants they consider
most desirable.

The Matching Program's role is that of an intermediary, executing binding instructions.
The outcome is pre-determined by the rank lists of programs and applicants. At no
point can this outcome be modified by a judgment or bias on the part of the intermediary,
nor is there any element of chance.

A receives requests from 2, 6 and 9; it tentatively accepts all three.

B receives requests from 4 and 10; it accepts 4, but did not list 10 as acceptable.

C receives requests from 1, 3 and 7; it accepts 1 and 7, but rejects 3, since it
has only two positions.

D receives requests from 5 and 8; D is not interested in 5 and accepts 8, even though
it is its last choice.

PROGRAMS

APPLICANTS

3

2

2

1

<<< Number of positions available

A

B

C

D

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

(6)

7

4

1

(C)

(A)

C

(B)

D

(A)

(C)

(D)

(A)

B

10

(4)

(1)

4

A

D

B

A

C

C

B

A

D

D

4

6

6

7

D

B

A

D

A

A

B

C

A

3

1

(7)

10

B

C

D

C

D

C

C

1

5

10

6

8

3

3

9

7

9

(8)

(9)

2

5

(2)

10

5

<<< These applicants were not listed.

Legend: (...) tentative acceptance; --- rejected
request

In the next round, the rejected applicants (3, 5 and 10) request placement at their
next choice. Most of these requests will create a cascade of further reactions and
requests.

3 requests B; B accepts.

5 requests C, but C is not interested. 5 now requests A; A considers this an improvement
and rejects 2. 2 now requests D, but D is not interested, nor are B and C. 2's list
is now exhausted, so 2 will remain unmatched.

10 requests D; this is an improvement for D, so D rejects 8. 8 now requests A; A
moves up again and rejects 5. Since 5's list is now exhausted, 5 remains unmatched
also.

PROGRAMS

APPLICANTS

3

2

2

1

<<< Number of positions available

A

B

C

D

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

[6]

7

4

1

[C]

(A)

C

[B]

D

[A]

[C]

(D)

[A]

B

10

[4]

[1]

4

A

D

[B]

A

C

C

B

[A]

D

[D]

4

6

6

7

D

B

A

D

A

A

B

C

A

3

1

[7]

[10]

B

C

D

C

D

C

C

1

5

10

6

[8]

[3]

3

9

7

9

(8)

[9]

2

(5)

(2)

2

2

10

5

5

<<< These applicants were not listed.

Legend: (...) tentative acceptance; --- rejected
request

At this point the matching process ends, with 2 and 5 remaining unmatched. That
at least two applicants would remain unmatched is predictable, since there were
ten applicants for eight positions. Note that the matched applicants are always
matched to the highest program on their list that was willing to accept them. Programs
retained their preferred applicants but usually did not get only their top choices.
Applicants who do not match were presented for consideration to all the programs
on their list.

The Matching Process was developed to allow applicants to Residency and Fellowship
training to visit and evaluate various training programs in a systematic fashion
without the pressure of being asked for a commitment before the evaluation process
is completed. At the conclusion of their evaluation process, applicants can
rank programs in a confidential fashion with the opportunity to match to the best
available program.

These rules were prepared to ensure the integrity of the Matching process.
Violations may well result in loss of opportunity for both applicants and programs
to achieve the best possible match. If one becomes aware of violations of
these rules, they should be reported to the SF Match Office. All reports regarding
violations will be kept confidential. Violations of these rules by program
directors or faculty may result in penalty actions regarding participation in the
Matching process.

Rules for Program Directors:

Appointments
The participating programs agree not to make any appointments prior to the match.
Positions that remain vacant after the match may be filled by direct negotiation
between program directors and applicants. These positions may be listed on the Vacancy
Information System.

Confidential Ranking Lists
All ranking lists are confidential. The matching program will not reveal how any
applicant ranked any program, nor how any program ranked any applicant.

Statements of Intent
If made, such statements must be unilateral, voluntary, and unconditional. Neither
party may ask the other for a commitment. A statement like: "I will rank you
first if you rank me first" is against the matching rules. A statement like:
"You are among the best programs/applicants I have seen so far; I appreciate
meeting you regardless of how you will rank me" is permitted.

Binding Commitment Both the program and the applicant formally commit to accepting a
position with any one of the rank choices listed. Both parties
are bound by the results of the match. However, an applicant’s actual entry
into the training program (and continuation in it) is contingent upon satisfactory
completion of the prerequisite training, any special requirements the program may
have stated explicitly for all applicants and satisfactory performance during training.

Violations
Observed violations of the matching rules must be reported to the SF Match Director,
who will forward information to the sponsoring organization.

Rules for Applicants:Match participants make the following binding agreement:

I am solely responsible for the choices on my rank list and for the match outcome
resulting for those choices.

I understand that no participating training program has the right to require that
I state how I shall rank that program on my confidential rank list, nor do I have
a right to demand that any program inform me how it plans to rank me.

I understand that I cannot avoid accepting an appointment to which I have been matched
without a written release from the applicable program. I also understand that another
program cannot offer a position to me unless I have this release. I understand that
releases are not automatic and my actions may be challenged.

By submitting a rank list, both the applicants’ choices and the
program directors choices make the match result a binding commitment. However;
Any offer made is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisite training
as generally required and special requirements if specified by a particular training
program;

If I obtain a position in this match, I will withdraw from all other matches in
post-graduate medicine that compete and conflict with this match. I agree that Match
results may be sent other formal matching programs as notice of action under their
respective rules.

I declare that I have no obligations (e.g. military) which might prevent me from
accepting a position if offered;

I authorize SF Match the use any information I have provided in any study approved
by SF Match, provided that no information clearly and uniquely identifies me is
disclosed in reports resulting from such a study.

***

This page outlines the requirements, conditions, and timeline for consideration of your specialty match joining with SF Match.

Overview
The SF Match reviews requests for matching services on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year. Requests must be made in writing by an appointed representative for your society. Clients that can demonstrate committment to a match and that will be able to maintain a majority of member programs each year are considered along with other factors including number of positions offered and match timeline desired.

Selection of a society for matching requires that the leadership of the society communicate all current matching rules with the SF Match.

Process
The process begins with a request for matching services sent to help@sfmatch.org. The email should include basic information about the number of programs involved, number of positions available, desired timeline, sponsoring society, and if there is a current match in place.

Receipt and acknowledgement of the request will be returned within 3 business days and further communication will occur. Approval is subject to agreement to the match rules, and agreement to the SF Match contractual terms. We do not accept 3rd party contracts for matching services.

Requirements of Sponsoring Societies
The SF Match does not handle sanctions or disciplinary actions. All reported violations will be provided to the sponsoring society representative in writing. Reported violations will be handled in a confidential manner between SF Match and the sponsoring society.

Societies are required to provide requested information and maintain accurate records of participating programs. Each society must provide a representative that can respond to requests for information within 2 business days.

The society chooses the match timeline and is not limited to any specific date each year. Changes to the match date are subject to approval by the SF Match and changes are generally not allowed during the match cycle.